David Mottershead threatened to stab a security guard at RAF Valley on Anglesey so he would get arrested and "people would have to listen" to what he had to say, a court has heard.
Mottershead, 45, of Bodffordd, Llangefni, Anglesey, had telephoned the guardroom at the base and delivered a "rambling" speech in which he talked about conspiracy theories, a biological attack on the UK, and an "uprising" in the country. He was subsequently arrested near the base and found to be in possession of a knife and an axe.
Incident details
The incident happened on March 25 last year and began with the defendant ringing the guardroom at RAF Valley. During the call, Mottershead talked about conspiracy theories, the threat of biological or chemical weapons, war, and a forthcoming "uprising" in British society.
The court heard he then made threats to go to the base and stab a security guard so he would be shot and arrested and "people would have to listen" to what he was saying. The defendant then cycled to the base and was arrested nearby. When searched, he was found to be carrying a knife and an axe.
Legal proceedings
Mottershead was subsequently found to be unfit to enter a plea, and a trial was held to determine whether he committed the alleged acts. A jury found he had made the call and had been in possession of a knife and axe.
The court heard the defendant has previous convictions for offences involving possession of weapons. His sentencing hearing heard psychiatric evidence about his "severe and complex mental health disorder", which includes emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. He is currently being treated at a private mental health hospital in Rhyl.
Sentencing
Judge Timothy Petts said it was clear from everything he had read about the defendant that Mottershead has a "long and complex psychiatric history" and that he had been experiencing a "significant psychiatric disturbance" at the time of the incident. He said he had read about the progress the defendant had been making while at the hospital, and said it was in the best interests of both the defendant and society at large that the treatment continues.
Mottershead was made subject to a s37 hospital order under the Mental Health Act with a s41 restriction order. The judge told the defendant the restriction order was necessary to protect the public but told him he hoped he would be deemed well enough to be released back into the community under appropriate supervision "sooner rather than later".
